Latching and locking means for luggage



March 24, 1964 .Y GEHRIE' 3,125,874

LATCHING AND LOCKINGy MEANS FOR LUGGAGE CASES AND LIKE RECEPTACLES 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 2l, 1963 'gl/115111111111 /lll/l/lllllllllznINVENTOR. cHAnLEe s. Gaume l .4 llllllllllllllh'lIllIlllIllllll/llllllll 9 March 24, 1964 c.. s. GEHREE LA'FCHING AND'LOCKING MEANS FOR LUGGAGE;

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CASES AND LIKE RECEPTACLES 'Filed Jan.v 21 1963 FIELGUnited States Patent() 3,125,874 LATCEHNG AND LQCKING MEANS FR LUG- GAGECASES AND LIKE RECEITACLES Charles S. Gehrie, Montclair, Nd., assignerto lxresto Loek Co., Garfield, NJ., a limited partnership Filed lan. 21,1%3, Ser. No. 252,7@ 13 Claims. (Qi. '7u-75) The invention relates tolatching devices or latching and locking devices for luggage cases andlike receptacles.

An object of the invention is to provide a latching device having meansfor cooperation with a hasp wherein the latching means is resilientlyhinged to a mounting plate adapted both to provide means for attachingthe device to a luggage case and to furnish means cooperable with thelatching means for the latching function.

Another object of the invention is to provide a latching device having astructure indicated above wherein locking means is related to thelatching means to releasably maintain the latching means in its latchedposition.

A further object of the invention is to provide a latching and lockingdevice wherein an assembly comprising means for releasably locking aresiliently biased latching member and means for coaction with a hasp isresiliently hinged to a mounting plate for spring-up action with respectto the mounting plate which, in addition to being adapted to secure thedevice to a luggage case, furnishes latch cooperable means for thelatching member of the hinged assembly.

A more specic object of the invention is to provide a latching andlocking device comprising an assembly providing means for latching andmeans for releasably locking the latching means in hasp-engagingposition, the assembly being hingedly and resiliently related to amounting plate providing latch cooperable means, wherein the assembly isrelated to the mounting plate in a manner which permits their hingedrelationship to be changed to thereby enable attachment of the device toa luggage case without incurring damage to the finish of the assembly,the changed relationship of the assembly with respect to the mountingplate also changing the extent of the arc of rotation of the assemblywith respect to the mounting plate.

These, and other objects and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunctionwith the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention,in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a latching and locking device inaccordance with the invention shown mounted on a valance of a luggagecase, this view showing the latching device in its latched position inengagement with a hasp, the associated valance member being broken awayto better show the hasp;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken approximately in theplane of line 2;-2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation, partly broken away and in section, showingthe device of FIG. 1 in unlatched or open position;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view, partly broken away and in section, showingthe latch member in its latched but unlocked condition;

FIG. 5 is a partial View similar to latch member in locked condition;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing in perspective the several componentsof the latching and locking device of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, partly broken away and in section,showing the angular relationship of the assembly providing the latchingmeans, locking means and hasp-engaging means with respect to a mountingplate to which it is hinged at one stage of the preferred manner ofattaching the device to a luggage case; and

FIG. 4 showing the 3,125,874 Patented Mar. 24, 1964 "ice FIG. 8 is aview similar to FIG. 7, this view however, showing the second stage ofattachment of the device to a luggage case just prior to the finalattached relationship, which is shown -in FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawings, a latching device made in accordance with`the invention generally comprises a housing A within which a latchmember B is mounted for sliding movement in a plane parallel to thelength or plane of the housing. The latch member B is normally urgedtoward latching position by resilient means C positioned in the housingto cooperate with the latch member. A portion of the latch memberextends exteriorly of the housing, the exposed portion being engageablemanually or by a linger so that the latch member may be pushed back orretracted against the force exerted upon it by the resilient means orspring C. The housing A is provided with an opening on a side thereofwhich is located approximately 90 from that side of the housing fromwhich the portion of the latch member B extends and is exposed. Thisopening, designated O, is of a size to allow the operating portion of ahasp member D to be received within or beneath the housing A. Theassembly of the housing A and the resiliently biased latch member B isprovided with hasp-engaging means E for cooperation with the hasp memberD, such assembly being designated S.

As shown in FIG. 3, the described assembly S is hinged at one endthereof to one end of a mounting plate G by a hinge pin or shaft F. Themounting plate is provided with upstanding, latch-coacting or -engagingmeans H at the end of the plate remote from the end thereof which ishinged to the assembly S. Resilient means I cooperable with the mountingplate G and the assembly S is positioned at or adjacent the hinge pin Fto normally urge apart the free or unhinged ends of the assembly and themounting plate.

Preferably, the hinge pin F is journalled in a pivot plate I. The pivotplate may also serve as a bearing for a portion of the resilient means Iwhich is also positioned to bear against the assembly S. Preferably, thepivot plate is assembled with and secured to the housing A to become apart of the assembly S.

When the latch member B, which is urged by the resilient means C towardlatched position, is in engagement with the latch-engaging means H onthe mounting plate G, the assembly S lies coextensively with respect tothe mounting plate G, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the latchedcondition of the device, and when the luggage case is closed, theoperation portion of the hasp D extends through the opening O disposedwithin the housing A and is captured by the hasp-engaging means E, Asecond hasp-engaging means E is located on the opposite side of theassembly S and remote from the hasp D. This second hasp-engaging meansis inactive, and is provided for economy of manufacture. This makes aright and left assembly out of the same unit so that the latching devicemay be oriented in the opposite direction, or turned 180 Y on a luggagecase, without having to manufacture right and lefthanded units.

When manual pressure is applied to the exposed portion of the Vlatchmember B to cause the latch member to be disengaged from thelatch-engaging means H on the mounting plate G, the ends of the assemblyS and of the mounting `plate G remote from their hinged connection at Fare caused, by the resilient means I, to swing apart. When the mountingplate G is attached or secured to a luggage case section, or to avalance strip V, which in turn is secured to a luggage case section,'asshown in FIG. 2, vthe assembly S lifts or springs up about its pivotalconnection to the secured, stationary mounting plate. This rotational,upward movement of the assembly S serves to lift the hasp-engaging meansE away from the operating portion of the hasp member D, and allows theluggage case to be opened about the usual hinged connection of the casesections on their bottom sides. Suitable stop means is provided tofurnish the desired extent that the assembly S may spring up withrespect to the mounting plate G to which it is hinged.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the described latchingdevice is provided with means for releasably maintaining or locking thelatch member in its latched position so that the assembly S may besecured in the hasp-engaging position shown in FIGS. l and 2. For thispurpose, a locking bolt K is positioned in the housing A and relatedwith respect to the latch member B so that in one position of the bolt,the latch member may be retracted and the device unlatched, as shown inFIG. 4. In the other or shifted position of the locking bolt, as shownin FIG. 5, the latch member cannot be retracted; it is maintained inlatched position and locked to prevent movement of the assembly S withrespect to the mounting plate G and its latch coacting means H. As aresult, the hasp-engaging means E of the assemblyy S cannot be liftedaway from the operating portion of the hasp D, and the luggage case islocked. The shifting of the locking bolt K from unlocked to lockedposition, and vice versa, is accomplished through the medium of arelated key barrel L disposed within the housing A and having a portionthereof exposed through an opening in the top of the housing. The keybarrel is turned by the usual key (not shown).

In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, a frame M isprovided to furnish a track for guiding the latch member B in thesliding movement thereof, to provide locating and guide means for theshiftable locking bolt K, to furnish a stop for limiting the extent ofmovement of the latch member, to furnish locating means for theresilient means C, and to protect and complete housing of the resilientmeans, the latch member and the locking bolt K on the underside of theassembly S.

In greater detail, and` in accordance with the illustrated and preferredembodiment of the invention, the housing A is substantially `rectangularin shape and comprises a plate portion 10 having downturned sides 12 and12' along the long sides thereof. The housing A has a downturned side 14at one endthereof and an opening 16 at the opposite end.V The downturnedsides 12 and 12' are each provided with the cut-out or opening O locatedmore nearly adjacent that end of the housing having the downturned side14. Substantially midway between the width of each opening O, thehasp-engaging means E is provided. As hereinbefore indicated, but onehasp-engaging means is needed for coaction with the hasp D; however, ahasp-engaging means is provided on each side of the housing so that thesame housing may be used though a pair of latching and locking devicesmay be oppositely oriented on'a luggage case. Preferably, thehasp-engaging means E is provided as an integral part of the housing A,being formed in the shape of a wedge as part of the side wall 12 (and12') midway between the sides of the opening O. Y

'The housing may be made from metal strip which is stamped and formed todesired shape. It is preferred, however, that the housing be made as adie casting and plated to provide a suitable nish. The upper or exposedsurface of the plate portion l may be ornamented in any desired fashion.ornamentation may be provided by a selected configuration imparted tothe cavity in which the part is die cast or, when the part is made as astamping, the plate portion may be suitably embossed to furnish thedesired ornamental elfect. The plate portion lltl of the housing isprovided With a circular opening 18 and an intersecting notch 2t) toallow exposure of the key barrel L and alignment of a slot 22 in the keybarrel with the notch Z0 for the reception of a key.

The underside of the housings plate portion l@ is provided with meansenabling connection with the pivot plate l and the frame M. Where thehousing is made as a die casting, such connecting means is convenientlyaccomplished by casting the housing with integral, dependent studs whichmay then have their ends headed over to complete the connection. Thestuds for securing the pivot plate I to the housing are designated 24and 24', and the studs for connection of the frame M to the housing aredesignated 26 and 26. It will be understood, of course, that rivets orother suitable means may be used for connection of the parts.

As best shown in FIG. 6, the latch member B is a rigid piece, preferablydie Cast, having a generally rectangular outline. One end thereof, theend 23, which when assembled with the housing extends exteriorlythereof, is concavely formed to furnish a finger-engaging surface 30.Where the piece increases in width, a shoulder 32 is provided Which, aswill subsequently be explained, cooperates with a portion of the frame Mto furnish a stop limiting the outward movement of the latch member. Thelatch member is provided with an aperture 34 to allow the latch-engagingmeans H to be extended therethrough when the assembly S is brought intocoextensive relationship or latching position with respect to themounting plate G. A beveled projection or tang 35 is situated to extendlaterally into the aperture 34 for sliding contact upon and hookingbeneath the upstanding, hook-like latch-engaging means H on the mountingplate G. The longitudinal sides 38, 33' of the latch member extendparallel to one another for sliding confinement between walls providedby the frame M, as will be subsequently described. The latch memberterminates in a pair of spaced arms lil and Alti' constituting the sidesof a substantially U-shaped cu"out KS2. A shoulder 44 is provided toextend into the cut-out portion, such shoulder being provided tocooperate with a portion of the locking bolt K to block the retractionof the latch member B and thereby lock it in its latched position. Thelatch member is further provided with an area of reduced thickness tofurnish a shoulder 45 which acts as a bearing surface for a portion ofthe resilient means or spring C, and to prevent the latch member fromtilting because of the reduction in thickness occasioned by theprovision of the spring-bearing shoulder 46, the arms 4@ and 40 areprovided With dependent projections 48 and 48', respectively, on theundersides thereof.

As shown in FIG. 6, the resilient means C is a leaf spring bent intosubstantially U-shape, and further given the configuration illustratedwherein one arm 50 is provided with an indentation 52. The indentation,as will be subsequently described, serves to position or locate thespring Within the assembly S. The end of the springs second arm S4 isprovided with a short return bent portion 56 to furnish a convexlyshaped hook 58 for coaction with a matingly shaped portion on thelocking bolt K.

As shown in FIG. 6, the mounting plate G is in the form of asubstantially rectangular metal strip 60 having substantally the samesurface area as the housing A. -When the mounting plate is made as astamping, which is preferred, it may be indented at the areas 62 toimpart rigidity to the plate. vAt one end,'and at opposite sides of theplate, a pair of upstanding, parallel ear portions 64 and 64' areprovided, these ear portions having holes 66 and 66' extendingrespectively therethrough to receive the pivot pin F. The plate 60 isprovided with notches 68 and 63 along its longitudinal edges and at alocation to coincide with and allow clearance for the tips of thewedge-shaped, hasp-engaging means E. At the end of the plateremote:fromV the ear portions 64, 64', the plate is pierced and the metaldisplaced and formed to provide a hook 70 midway between the sides ofthe plate 60.

The hook '70 constitutes the'latch-engaging means H; it is Y formed withan upper beveled surface for sliding engagement with the beveled portionon the projection 36 on the latch member B so that the projection iscammed under the hook when the parts are pressed together.

In order to attach the mounting plate to a valance member V, the plateis provided with longitudinally spaced apertures 72 and 72 so thatrivets 74 (FIGS. 3, 7 and 8) may be extended therethrough and alignedholes in the valance and then headed over to secure the connection ofthe plate to the valance. The valance shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is formedto provide a recess, and the latching and locking device of theinvention is adapted for substantially flush mounting therein. Thevalance structure shown does no constitute part of the presentinvention.

The hasp D possesses a structure adapted for coaction with the latchingdevice when mounted in the recessed form of valance member V illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 2. The hasp, which is preferably made by die casting,comprises a body portion 71 having dependent studs 73 and a laterallyextending, operating portion 75 having an opening 77. The body portionis secured to the second valance member V', and to the luggage casesection upon which such valance member is mounted, by the studs 73 whichare extended through aligned openings provided in the valance member andthe luggage case section. The ends of the studs are then headed over tosecure the connection of the parts. The operating portion 75 is made ofa length suflicient to present the opening 77 to the haspengaging meansE. It will be understood that when the latching device is secureddirectly to a luggage case seotion, and does not require spacing fromthe hasp to the extent necessitated by the positioning of the latchingdevice in a recessed valance member as shown, then the operating portionof the hasp need not be in the extended form illustrated to present theaperture tothe hasp-engaging means.

The frame M, as also shown in FIG. 6, is a channelshaped member which ispreferably blanked, pierced and formed from strip steel, and which maybe protectively plated. The frame serves as the holding, locating andprotective means for the latch member B, the resilient means C forbiasing the latch member and the locking bolt K. These parts may bereadily assembled with one another to provide a sub-assembly which maybe easily handled for assembly with the housing A.

The frame M, which is substantially rectangular in outline, has a pairof upturned sides 76 and 76' extending longitudinally of the frame andparallel to one another. The side 76 is somewhat shorter than the side76', the remainder of the piece at such side being taken up by aslightly inwardly spaced, bent up tang or stop 7 8 adapted to be engagedby the shoulder 32 of the latch member B. The frame is provided with acut-out or opening 86 to allow the hook-like, latch-engaging means H topass therethrough. The portion of the frame 82 intermediate the Thelocking bolt K is provided on one longitudinal side thereof with a notch98 to receive a portion of the key to allow the ,piece to be shiftedfrom the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5, andvice versa. The opposite longitudinal side of the locking bolt is formedto furnish a projection 100 and an adjacent indentation 102. Theindentation receives the bowed portion 58 of the spring arm 54 when thelocking bolt is in unlocked position (FIG. 4). When the locking bolt isshifted to locking position, as shown in FIG. 5, the bowed portion 58 ofthe spring is resiliently hooked behind the projection 160. Thus, inaddition to its biasing function upon the latch member, the springserves, by virtue of its configuration, to resilientiy maintain thelocking bolt in its extreme positions. The locking bolt is formed toprovide an upstanding llug or projection 104 extending from the flatface thereof for positioning behind the shoulder 44 of the latch memberB to prevent the retraction of the latch member when the locking bolthas been shifted to the position shown in FIG. 5. When the locking boltK has been shifted by the key to the position shown in FIG. 4, the lug104 clears the latch member B, which may be retracted against the actionof the spring C, thereby permitting the projection 36 to become unhookedfrom the latch-engaging hook 7? on the mounting plate.

With the latching member B coniined between the sides 76 and 76 of theframe M for sliding movement with respect thereto, the spring C confinedbetween the shoulder 46 of the latching member, between the tangs 84, S4and S6, 86', and bearing against the locking bolt K, and the lockingVbolt K conned for sliding movement between the tangs 84', 86' and $8,3S', such assembly is secured to the housing A by extending the studs 26and 26' of the yhousing through the openings 90 and 94 on the frame andthen heading over the ends of the studs.

In the illustrated and preferred embodiment of the in- Vention, thedescribed assembly S, which comprises the housing A, the latch member B,the latch-biasing spring C, the locking bolt -K and the frame M, ishingedly connected to the mounting plate G by the pivot plate I. As`shown in FIG. 6, the pivot plate comprises a liat base portion 166having inturned sides 108 and 1138 to furnish a substantiallychannel-shaped member. The sides 108 and 16S are each provided with alongitudinally extending slot 11@ which terminates at its inner end in adepressed bearing 112. The base portion 106 is provided with laterallyspaced openings 114, 114 through which walls 76 and 76 is provided witha plurahty of spaced v locating means for the spring C and the lockingbolt K. Preferably, the locating means are provided by piercing the wailS2, and striking up the metal to furnish projecting tangs. The tangs S4and 84 serve to confine the arms Stb and 54 of the spring Ctherebetween, with the tang 84 situated at the indentation 52 in thespring arm 50, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As also shown in theseligures, the spring arm Sil bears against the shoulder 46 provided bythe latch member B, and the end 56 of the spring is confined by thetangs 86 and 86. The tangs, designated 88 and 88', together with thetangs 84 and 86 confine the locking bolt K for sliding movement in theframe M and transversely with respect to the plane of movement of thelatch member B. The frame is provided at one end with an opening 90, andat the opposite end with a central tab 92 having an opening 94. The tabextends laterally from an upstanding end wall 96 and lies in a planesubstantially parallel to the plane of the wall portion 82 of the frame.The frames wall S2 is pnovided with a hole 97 to enable clearance of thetip of the key which actuates the locking bolt K.

' vsecured to the housing,

rthe studs 24 and 24' of the housing A are extended and headed over forconnection of the pivot plate to the housing. The lpivot plate therebybecomes a part of the assembly S. Before the pivot plate is secured tothe housing, the ears 64 and 64 are placed over the sides 108 and 10Swith the apertures 66 and 66 aligned with the slot 116 on each side orthe pivot plate. The spring I which, as shown in FIG. 6, is coiled toprovide a median bowed portion 115 and parallel extending, straight ends116 is positioned between the mounting plate G and the pivot plate sothat the spaced ends 116 will bear against the surface 69 of the plate Gand the bowed portion 115 will bear against the inner surface of thebase portion 166 of the pivot plate. The pivot pin F is then extendedthrough the opening 66', the slot 110, the opening extending throughadjacent coils of the spring I, through the slot 110 on the oppositeside of the pivot plate and through the opening 66 in the ear portion 64of the mounting plate. After the pivot plate and the related parts arethe ends of the pivot pin are located between the sides 12 and 12 of thehousing, as shown in FIG. 4.

With the parts thus assembled, the assembly S is biased away from themounting plate G by the spring I at their hinged connection to oneanother by the pivot pin F so that the assembly assumes a positionsubstantially with yrespect to the mounting plate, as shown in FIG. 7.In this relationship of the hinged parts, the

end wall 14 of the housing A engages the extremity 117 of the mountingplate G to limit or stop the rotation of the assembly S with respect tothe mounting plate. The pivot pin F is located at the extremity of theslots 110 in the pivot plate which is remote from the depressed bearingsHZ. Such angular relationship of the assembly S with respect to themounting plate G is particularly desirable for the attachment of thedescribed device to a recessed valance member V. The mounting plate isfully exposed to allow unobstructive riveting or other desiredattachment of the mounting plate to the valance member, and there is nodanger of marring the finish of the housing which will be exposed on theluggage case, or of damaging the components contained in the housing.

It is preferred however, that the assembly S spring up with respect tothe mounting plate G, or the luggage case to which the latching andlocking device is attached, not more than approximately 15. Althoughother stop means may be used to limit the extent that the assembly S mayswing with respect to the mounting plate G, the described slottedarrangement provided by the pivot plate I permits limiting the extent ofswing of the assembly with respect to the luggage case to 15 whileaffording the advantage of unobstructed attachment of the device to aluggage case, as previously described.

This is accomplished by moving the assembly S, after the device has beensecured to a luggage case section, down to the position shown in FIG. 8,and then applying pressure in the direction of the arrow X, or parallelto the length of the assembly S when the assembly is in such position.As a result, the assembly S is shifted lengthwise with respect to themounting plate G, the pivot pin F travelling in the longitudinal slots110 until it reaches the depressed bearings 112, as shown in FIG. 3.With the assembly S and the mounting plate G thus related to oneanother, the fulcrum provided by the pivot pin F has been shifted sothat the valance V is engaged by the downturned side i4 of the housingA, whereby the valance acts as a stop limiting the extent of rotation ofthe assembly S with respect to the mounting plate G to the desired angleof 15, as shown in FIG. 3. The parts are dimensionally related so thatfollowing the shifting of the fulcrum to the position shown in FIG. 3,the latch-coacting means H is aligned with the opening 80 in the frame Mso that the projection 36 may be hooked under the latch-coacting means Hwhen the assembly S is brought into the latching and hasp-engagingposition of FIGS. 1 and 3.

It will be apparent that when the latching or latching and lockingdevice of the invention is attached directly to a luggage case section,rather than to an intermediate recessed valance, the preferred slottedarrangement permitting shifting of the fulcrum of the mounting plate Gand assembly S for facility of attachment may be dispensed with. Insteadof utilizing the valance member itself to furnish the desired angle thatthe assembly S may rotate with respect to the mounting plate, anysuitable means cooperative with the mounting plate G and assembly S maybe used to furnish the extent that the assembly may spring up from themounting plate to which it is hinged. If desired, the mounting plate maybe extended at its hinged end so that the upperrface thereof may beengaged by the end wall 14 of the housing to stop the rotation of theassembly S when it reaches a desired amount.

Also, while the coiled form of spring I lends itself to the describedslotted arrangement which allows shifting of the fulcrum, it will beapparent that where the pivotal connection of assembly and mountingplate is xed as contemplated by the invention, a leaf spring may be usedin lieu of the described coiled spring.

It is believed that the advantages and improved results of the inventionwill be apparent from the foregoing detailed description of a preferredembodiment of the inven- `ment transversely of the tion. It will beapparent that various changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as sought to bedefined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A latching device for a luggage case or like receptacle comprising ahousing, an opening in the side of the housing to allow a hasp to bereceived in the housing, a latch member slidably mounted in the housing,resilient means positioned in the housing and cooperating with the latchmember to urge the latch member toward latching position, said latchmember having a portion thereof extending exteriorly of the housing formanual engagement and retraction against the force exerted by saidresilient means, hasp-engaging means provided by the assembly of saidhousing and resiliently biased latch member located at said opening, amounting plate for attaching the latching device to a luggage case,means hinging one end of the mounting plate to the end of said assemblyopposite the end thereof having the manually engageable portion of thelatch member, latch-engaging means upstanding from the mounting platefor coaction with said latch member, and resilient means cooperable withsaid assembly and said mounting plate tourge the mounting plate and theassembly apart about their hinged connection.

2. A latching device as set forth in claim 1 including a locking boltmounted in the hinged assembly for moveplane of movement of the latchmember, said locking bolt having a lug for blocking the retraction ofthe latch member, said housing having key admission means, and saidlocking bolt having key cooperable means whereby the locking bolt may bemoved from latch member-blocking to latch member-unblocking positions.

3. A latching device for a luggage case or like receptacle comprising asubstantially rectangular housing having a plate portion, downturnedsides and a downturned end, the opposite end providing an opening toallow a portion of a manually engageable latch member to extendtherethrough, a second opening extending through a downturned side toallow a hasp to be received beneath the u plate portion of the housing,a latch member mounted in the housing for sliding movement in a planeparallel to the plane of said plate portion, resilient means positionedin the housing and cooperating with the latch member to urge the latchmember toward latching position, said latch member having a portionthereof extending through said rst opening for manual engagement andretraction against the force exerted by said resilient means,hasp-engaging means provided by the assembly of the housing andresiliently biased latch member located at said second opening, amounting plate for attaching the latching device to a luggage case,means hinging one end of the mounting plate to the end of the assemblyopposite the end thereof having the manually engageable portion of thelatch member, latch-engaging means upstanding from the mounting plate atthe end opposite the hinged end, and resilient means cooperating withsaid assembly and said mounting plate to urge the mounting plate and theassembly apart about their hinged connection.

4. A latching device as set forth in claim 3 including a locking boltmounted in the hinged assembly Vfor movement transversely of the planeof movement of the latch member, said locking bolt having a lug forblocking the retraction of the latch member, said plate portion havingkey admission means, said locking bolt having key cooperable meanswhereby the locking bolt may be moved from latch member-blocking tolatch memberunblocking positions, and said resilient means cooperablewith the latch member being formed to also cooperate with the lockingbolt to resiliently maintain the locking bolt in its latchmember-blocking and latch member-unblocking positions. y

5. A latching device for a luggage case or like receptacle comprising ahousing, an opening in the side of the housing to allow a hasp to bereceived in the housing, a latch member slidably mounted in the housing,resilient means positioned in the housing and cooperating with the latchmember to urge the latch member toward latching position, said latchmember having a portion thereof extending exteriorly of the housing formanual engagement and retraction against the force exerted by saidresilient means, a frame member secured to the housing and positioned onthe underside thereof, providing locating Vmeans for the resilient meansand means for guiding the latch member, hasp-engaging means provided bythe assembly of said housing, resiliently biased latch member and framemember and located at said opening, a mounting plate for attaching thelatching device to a luggage case, means hinging one end of the mountingplate to the end of said assembly opposite the end thereof having themanually engageable portion of the latch member, latch-engaging meansupstanding from the mounting plate for coaction with said latch member,and resilient means cooperable with said assembly and said mountingplate to urge the mounting plate and the assembly apart about theirhinged connection.

6. A latching device as set forth in claim including a locking boltmounted on said frame member for movement transversely of the plane ofmovement of the latch member, said frame member providing means forguiding the locking bolt, said locking bolt having a lug for blockingthe retraction of the latch member, said housing having key admissionmeans, and said locking bolt having key cooperable means whereby thelocking bolt may be moved from latch member-blocking to latchmemberunblocking positions.

7. A latching device for a luggage case or like receptacle comprising asubstantially rectangular housing having a plate portion, downturnedsides and a downturned end, the opposite end providing an opening toallow a portion of a manually engageable latch member to extendtherethrough, a second opening extending through a downturned side toallow a hasp to be received beneath the plate portion of the housing, alatch member mounted in the housing for sliding movement in a planeparallel to the plane of said plate portion, resilient means positionedin the housing and cooperating with the latch member to urge the latchmember toward latching position, said latch member having a portionthereof extending through said first opening for manual engagement andretraction against the force exerted by said resilient means, a framemember secured to the housing and positioned on the underside thereofproviding locating means for the resilient means and means for guidingthe latch member, hasp-engaging means provided by the assembly of thehousing, resiliently biased latch member and frame member and located atsaid second opening, a mounting plate for attaching the latching deviceto a luggage case, means hinging one end of the mounting plate to theend of the assembly opposite the end thereof having the manuallyengageable portion of the latch member, latchengaging means upstandingfrom the mounting plate at the end opposite the hinged end, andresilient means cooperating with said assembly and said mounting plateto urge the mounting plate and the assembly apart about their hingedconnection.

8. A latching device as set forth in claim 7 including a locking boltmounted on said frame member for movement transversely of the plane ofmovement of the latch member, said frame member providing means forguiding the locking bolt, said locking bolt having a lug for blockingthe retraction of the latch member, said plate portion having keyadmission means, said locking bolt having key cooperable means wherebythe locking bolt may be moved from latch member-blocking to latchmemberunblocking positions, and said resilient means cooperable with thelatch member being formed to also cooperate with the locking bolt toresiliently maintain the locking 10 bolt in its latch member-blockingand latch memberunblocking positions.

9. A latching device for a luggage case or like receptacle comprising ahousing, an opening in the side of the housing to allow a hasp to bereceived in the housing, a latch member slidably mounted in the housing,resilient means positioned in the housing and cooperating with the latchmember to urge the latch member toward latching position, said latchmember having a portion thereof extending exteriorly of the housing formanual engagement and retraction against the force exerted by saidresilient means, hasp-engaging means provided by the assembly of saidhousing and resiliently biased latch member located at said opening, amounting plate for attaching the latching device to a luggage case, apivot pin hinging the end of the assembly opposite the end thereofhaving the manually engageable portion of the latch member to themounting plate, means allowing shifting of the fulcrum between theassembly and mounting plate, latch-engaging means upstanding from themounting plate for coaction with said latch member, and resilient meanscooperable With said assembly and said mounting plate to urge themounting plate and the assembly apart about their hinged connection.

l0. A latching device for a luggage case or like receptacle comprising ahousing, an opening in the side of the housing to allow a hasp to bereceived in the housing, a latch member slidably mounted in the housing,resilient means positioned in the housing and cooperating with the latchmember to urge the latch member toward latching position, said latchmember having a portion thereof extending exteriorly of the housing formanual engagement and retraction against the force exerted by saidresilient means, a substantially channel-shaped pivot plate having thebase portion thereof secured to the underside of the housing, the sidesof the pivot plate each having a longitudinally extending slotterminating in a depressed bearing, a hasp-engaging means provided bythe assembly of said housing, resiliently biased latch member and pivotplate and located at said opening, a mounting plate for attaching thelatching device to a luggage case, said mounting plate having at one endthereof a pair of laterally spaced upstanding ears each having anaperture extending therethrough, a pivot pin extending through saidapertures and slots to hinge the end of the assembly opposite the endthereof having the manually engageable portion of the latch member tothe mounting plate, latch engaging means upstanding from the mountingplate for coaction with said latch member, and resilient meanscooperable with said assembly and said mounting plate to urge themounting plate and the assembly apart about their hinged connection.

1l. A latching device as set forth in claim l0 including a locking boltmounted in the hinged assembly for movement transversely of the plane ofmovement of the latch member, said locking bolt having a lug forblocking the retraction of the latch member, said housing having keyadmission means, and said locking bolt having key cooperable meanswhereby the locking bolt may be moved from latch member-blocking tolatch member-unblocking position.

l2. A latching device for a luggage case or like receptacle comprising asubstantially rectangular housing having a plate portion, downturnedsides and a downturned end, the opposite end providing an opening toaliow a portion of a manually engageable latch member to extendtherethrough, a second opening extending through a downturned side toallow a hasp to be received beneath the plate portion of the housing,the latter downturned side being formed at said second opening toprovide hasp-engaging means, a frame member secured to the housing andpositioned on the underside thereof, a latch member intermediate theplate portion and the frame member, a substantially U-shaped leaf springcooperating with the latch member to urge the latch member toward 1 ilatching position, means provided by the frame member for guiding thelatch member for sliding movement in a plane parallel to the plane ofsaid housing plate portion, means provided by the frame member forlocating said spring, said latch member having a portion thereofextending through said rst opening for manual engagement and retractionagainst the force exerted by said spring, an opening provided in saidframe member to allow latchengaging means to be extended therethroughfor cooperation with the latch member, a channel-shaped pivot platehaving the base portion thereof secured to the underside of the housing,the sides of the pivot plate each having a longitudinally extending slotterminating in a depressed bearing, a mounting plate for attaching thelatching device to a luggage case, said mounting plate having at one endthereof a pair of transversely spaced upstanding ears each having anaperture extending therethrough, said ears straddling the sides of saidpivot plate, a pivot pin extended tlLrough said apertures and said slotsto hinge the assembly of housing, spring biased latch member, framemember and pivot plate opposite the end of the assembly from which themanually engageable portion of the latch member extends to the mountingplate, latch-engaging means upstanding from the mounting plate forcoaction with the latch member, and resilient means adjacent the 3 2pivot pin cooperable with said assembly and said mounting plate to urgethe mounting plate and the assembly apart about their hinged connection.

13. A latching device as set forth in claim 12 including a locking boltmounted intermediate the housing plate portion and the frame member,said frame member pro- Viding means for guiding the locking bolt formovement transversely of the plane of movement of the latch member, saidlocking bolt having a lug for blocking the retraction of the latchmember, said housing plate portion having key admission means, saidlocking bolt having key cooperable means whereby the locking bolt may bemoved from latch member-blocking to latch member-unblocking position,one arm of the U-shaped leaf spring engaging the latch member, thesecond arm of the spring engaging the locking bolt, said second arm andthe locking bolt being matingly formed for cooperative engagementwhereby the spring resiliently maintains the locking bolt in its latchmember-blocking and latch member-unblocking positions.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. A LATCHING DEVICE FOR A LUGGAGE CASE OR LIKE RECEPTACLE COMPRISING AHOUSING, AN OPENING IN THE SIDE OF THE HOUSING TO ALLOW A HASP TO BERECEIVED IN THE HOUSING, A LATCH MEMBER SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN THE HOUSING,RESILIENT MEANS POSITIONED IN THE HOUSING AND COOPERATING WITH THE LATCHMEMBER TO URGE THE LATCH MEMBER TOWARD LATCHING POSITION, SAID LATCHMEMBER HAVING A PORTION THEREOF EXTENDING EXTERIORLY OF THE HOUSING FORMANUAL ENGAGEMENT AND RETRACTION AGAINST THE FORCE EXERTED BY SAIDRESILIENT MEANS, HASP-ENGAGING MEANS PROVIDED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF SAIDHOUSING AND RESILIENTLY BIASED LATCH MEMBER LOCATED AT SAID OPENING, AMOUNTING PLATE FOR ATTACHING THE LATCHING DEVICE TO A LUGGAGE CASE,MEANS HINGING ONE END OF THE MOUNTING PLATE TO THE END OF SAID ASSEMBLYOPPOSITE THE END THEREOF HAVING THE MANUALLY ENGAGEABLE PORTION OF THELATCH MEMBER, LATCH-ENGAGING MEANS UPSTANDING FROM THE MOUNTING PLATEFOR COACTION WITH SAID LATCH MEMBER, AND RESILIENT MEANS COOPERABLE WITHSAID ASSEMBLY AND SAID MOUNTING PLATE TO URGE THE MOUNTING PLATE AND THEASSEMBLY APART ABOUT THEIR HINGED CONNECTION.